Chapter 35

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my original characters.

At first I thought the soft purr of an engine was just my imagination. I had pressed my face deeper into the pillow, and tried to keep away the tears.

Every time I had finally fallen asleep, memories from the past or nightmares would wake me up again with tears running down my face. Shadow was pressed against my side, and I could feel the rise and fall of her breathing.

I shut my eyes tightly, and tried once more to relax my mind. That was until I hear a 'thud' with the scattering of papers come from the other side of my bed followed by a series of curse words.

Rolling out of the covers, I looked frantically in the dark for the source when Shadow shot up and hissed at something. I saw her black form puff up and tail flicked in annoyance. My arm reached out and turned on the lamp quickly.

"Down kitty! Down!"

Holding out his hands in a surrendering manner at my cat, and clothes slightly wrinkled was Sirius. Behind him was my trunks askew near the balcony doors, and all the letters I've received scattered on the ground where he must have ran into my bedside table.

His hair was windblown, and was wearing a muggle band t-shirt with dark washed jeans. He was looking down at Shadow with cautious gray eyes.

"Sirius?" I breathed. Shock was washing through me as I stared at him with wide eyes.

He glanced up at me and a crooked grin formed on his lips, "Hello, love. Mind calling off your cat?"

Almost in a dream I crawled back on the bed, and gathered up Shadow in my arms. She instantly relaxed when I picked her up and sat in my lap as I petted her. He lowered his hands and squinted at her, "You're a tricky creature, aren't you?"

She meowed in response then jumped down, and went to lie on top of my desk chair. Her yellow eyes watching Sirius's every movement.

He laughed at her actions, while I continued to stare at him. I seemed to be processing every inch of him to make sure he was real; his cheekbones, the way his lips turn up, the eyes, and lean muscles under his shirt.

"Am I dreaming?" I muttered, and brought my hands to grasp the roots of my hair tightly. Tears started to form in the corner of my vision at the thought. Is this all my mind playing tricks on me? Or am I in a freaky dream that feels real, but I'll wake up and find that it never happened?

He sat on the edge of the bed, and took my hands. "No, you're not dreaming, love."

His warm hands caused sparks to shoot up my arms, and I realized I wasn't dreaming. Sirius was actually here in my room; he was here when he was supposed to be at Hogwarts right now and he had somehow got in my room which was two stories up from the ground.

A sudden wash of emotions came over me, and I threw myself at him; my arms wrapping his shoulders, and he held me tightly against him back. As we hugged I closed my eyes to refrain myself from tears.

"Merlin, love, you've had me worried sick." He stated, and leaned back to look at me, but still had his fingers in my hair. "Why didn't you write me back?"

His hands moved up and down my shoulders and arms soothingly as he examined me. His gray eyes scanning every part of my face worriedly. I unlaced my arms from him and reached up to wipe stray tears falling down my face.

"I...I didn't know what to say..." He stared at me, and his grin faded.

"A simple 'I'm fine' or a 'I'm alive' would have been perfect, Vanessa. I was worried out of my mind."

Nodding, I winced from the stormy look in his eyes. "Sorry…"

"You're so ridiculous that it's cute." He muttered, his eyes softened at my reaction. Blush crept to my cheeks at the words making me glare at him a little. Sirius's mouth still kept its frown as he looked at the circle under my eyes and the bite marks on my bottom lip. "Oh, love…"

The anger washed from his features and more concern crept in. "Have you been sleeping?"

"It's not as bad as it looks..." I lied knowing that he wouldn't believe me for a second. My hands fell to my lap, and I looked down at them. I could still see the lines across my wrists and arms; pink and fading slowly.

He gave me a look, and pulled me back to him. "It's okay to say you're not, love. Bottling it up will only make it worse."

I nodded, and swallowed. Sirius brought my wrist to his lips and kissed my scars gently making goose bumps appear on my arms. "When you're ready don't be afraid to say something, okay?"

His gray eyes not wavering from mine and left no room for me to think about arguing.

"Okay." I whispered, and let myself relax for the first time since I left Hogwarts. The tense feelings and guilt subsided as I agreed. Sirius brought his hands to the side of my face and his fingers tangled in my hair.

"I don't care if I'm not here. Just write it in a letter, and I'll write back as soon as I can." He said then rested my forehead against mine. I nodded at his words in response. My eyes fluttered closed along with his, and my heart felt like it was crumbling. "How are you here?"

"You know me, love. I have my ways." He chuckled softly, "Why? Do you want me to leave?"

"I didn't say that." I laughed, and smiled slightly.

"Good, because I'm not leaving anytime soon. I missed you too much."

"I missed you too, Siri."

One of his hands slid from its hold on my cheeks, and grasped one of mine tightly. I opened my eyes and he was looking at me already. Bring my other hand up I touched his cheek softly.

Some part of me was freaking about how he was here and what will happen when the Professors at Hogwarts notice he's missing or if Dorea and Charlus find out, but the other half was just to happy and relieved to care. His skin was slightly rough from the scruff that was seemed to starting to appear from the last time I saw him.

"How is it every time we're apart you stop shaving?" I asked, and he grinned with a slight chuckle.

"So you can tease me about it." He answered, "And because I think it gives me that edgy look that you swoon over."

"I don't swoon!" I defended, but my lips twitched upwards. His grin turned into his crooked one, and my heart skipped a beat. I could deny it as long as I wanted to, but we both knew I do.

"Keep telling yourself that, love." Sirius replied, and pulled away from me. "Now get dressed!"

"Why? Are we going somewhere?" I questioned, and raised an eyebrow. As soon as he moved away from me I wanted to pull him back to me. I've missed his touch so much, and him in general that I didn't want to leave his side for a second.

"Well we can't stay here and get caught, can we?" He replied, and threw a wink over his shoulder as he walked to my dresser, and started to open up drawers.

I glanced at the door, and then the clock sitting on my bedside table. It was about 10 at night and Charlus would up here soon to check on me. It's part of the whole constant supervision that I'm under, and he will notice that I'm gone.

My mind told me it wasn't a good idea because Sirius and I would get into even more trouble, but if he gets caught here they'll send him back to Hogwarts….

I got off of my bed, and stood by Sirius at my dresser.

"I can dress myself, thank you." I said and bumped him with my shoulder. His lips twitched, and he backed up from the draw he was riffling through.

Shuffling through it myself, I picked up a cozy grey sweater and a pair of jeans to match. Then shutting it as softly as I could, I went into my bathroom to change.

After I was changed I picked up my brush and combed through my hair trying to get it all the tangles out of it. The girl that stared back at me in the mirror looked more alive than she has in days. Her eyes had a gleam in them instead of the dullness, and her lips held a small smile.

Walking out of the bathroom, I saw Sirius looking through the letters I kept, but when he hear me he turned to me with that dazzling smile on his features. "You kept all of them."

"Why wouldn't I?" I could feel a slight blush form on my cheeks at his statement. Biting my lip, I picked up my combat boots from where I put them.

He shrugged, and walk towards me. The smile still on his lips he pulled me to him after I put on my shoes. My breath caught on the way he was looking at me, and he leaned down to kiss me when we both heard movement come from downstairs.

A flash of annoyance passed through his eyes, and I wanted to make him kiss me anyways, but more noise coming from Charlus stopped me.

Sirius put his hand in mine, and pulled me towards the balcony. "Ready?"

"Yes, but how are we-" I cut my sentence short as I saw the gleaming motorcycle that was parked on my balcony.

"A beauty isn't she?" Sirius smirked at my shocked expression, and picked up a helmet that was on the seat.

"How did you get it up here?" I asked, as he passed me the extra helmet.

"You'll see!" He smiled, and hopped on then gestured for me to do the same. Shooting him a look, I swung my leg over the seat. After putting on my helmet, I hesitated then wrapped my arms around his waist.

"You never answered me about where we're going." I stated, and I felt him chuckle.

"I have no idea, love." He answered, then he gunned the engine and suddenly we were flying.